In conversation with Joe McGinley, founder of Iconic Offices

How much can an office’s design affect the employees who work inside of it?

Office design is a critical component to having a productive and happy team. It’s not all about expensive gadget or pieces of art, it is more important that the space actually works for the team it houses and that they feel comfortable within the space. It is also critical that teams have space to do their important ‘head down’ work but also that there are separate spaces for taking telephone calls, informal meetings, private meetings and some quiet zones for people to be able to think and problem solve.

These days, you hear about offices with games rooms, quiet areas and special cafes – do these office designs truly build employee morale?

These amenities are important when recruiting new staff as they show the employer understands what new employees typically want from a workplace. But once you get the employee in the door and it becomes a game of staff retention, these aspects need to actually function and, more importantly, fit in to the company’s culture. There’s no point in an employer putting in a foosball table in the corner of the office but then staring and begrudging everybody who tries to use it. It’s not about gimmicks.

Companies need to build space which reflects their true company culture. This is how you can ensure you hire and retain staff that actually fit within the organisation. Remember, not everybody is a rockstar.

A few years ago, CEOs started experimenting with the idea of open-plan offices. What are the benefits from having all employees together on an office floor from a CEO’s perspective and have organisations seen those benefits?

Open plan works really well. But like all things in life, it is about balance. You need to have the right ratio of open plan vs private and breakout spaces. From a CEO’s perspective, open plan allows you to deploy a high density strategy, meaning you can get more bodies into a smaller space and thus keep costs down. However, one size does not fit all and this is why it is critically important to ensure the open plan space is balanced with some separate quiet zones, break out spaces, meeting spaces, kitchen facilities, etc.

Open plan is a great way for staff to collaborate and be creative but this style of working isn’t required in all industries. In some industries, concentration is key and, for this, most people need quiet. Discovering what type of space works for your business is a journey and the relativity is that it will evolve over time as the business changes. 

What few changes can a CEO make to an office to make employees happier at work and more productive?

It’s not all about expensive furniture and ping pong tables. Companies need to focus on refining their company culture and that their team are truly engaged. This culture then needs to filter down into the work-space design, the functionality of the space and the employer needs to ensure the space meets the needs of the staff.

Some small things CEOs can do which can make a big change include introducing some plants and greenery, providing really great kitchen facilities where staff can eat together, providing good shower/ changing and bike parking facilities and introducing inspiring art/ prints which are in line with the company culture and beliefs.

What are the most common mistakes inexperienced planners make when putting together their corporate space?

When employers go it alone, they build out what they understand a functional office should be. However, what they are missing by doing this is the fact that new employees are looking for more from an office than just a basic office environment. As we are all aware, the boundaries between work and play are becoming more and more blurred and staff want to work in an environment which represents them as a person and within a space where they can socialise and not just work.